Crime

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—With spring break fast approaching, many West Michigan families are fine-tuning their travel plans—and so are thieves.

Most West Michigan schools will be out of session April 3-10, so families can take a vacation. East Grand Rapids Public Safety Director Mark Herald says this is the time homeowners need to step up safety measures. Herald shares seven ways to make your home less attractive to thieves:

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—With spring break fast approaching, many West Michigan families are fine-tuning their travel plans—and so are thieves.

Most West Michigan schools will be out of session April 3-10, so families can take a vacation. East Grand Rapids Public Safety Director Mark Herald says this is the time homeowners need to step up safety measures. Herald shares seven ways to make your home less attractive to thieves:

KENTWOOD, Mich.—As the busiest shopping day of the year approaches, police are offering 10 ways to protect yourself and your vehicle from thieves.

Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (H.E.A.T.) works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to track down suspected car thieves and those suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Shoppers are encouraged to follow these tips:

KENTWOOD, Mich.—As the busiest shopping day of the year approaches, police are offering 10 ways to protect yourself and your vehicle from thieves.

Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (H.E.A.T.) works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to track down suspected car thieves and those suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Shoppers are encouraged to follow these tips:

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich.—West Michigan is home to three of the 10 most dangerous places in the state, according to Movoto Real Estate.

The company based its rankings on cities with populations of 10,000 or more that also ranked high in murder, violent crimes, property crimes and total crimes, based on the 2012 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Flint topped the list, followed by Benton Harbor, Detroit, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights, Harper Woods, Inkster, Flint Township, Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids came in at No. 16, Holland ranked 26th, Walker took 32nd place, Grandville ranked 41st, Norton Shores landed at No. 42, Kalamazoo Township was 45th and Grand Haven came in at No. 50 among the 102 qualified communities. To see the entire list, visit Movoto’s website here.

The Muskegon Police Department has seen some entering of vehicle instances in various locations in the city recently. In some cases, valuable electronics have been taken.

We would like to take a minute to remind everyone that many times these are crimes of opportunity. Criminals are more apt to go for the easy targets where they are less likely to be caught, i.e. Looking for an unlocked vehicle rather than attempting to break into the vehicle and bring attention to themselves.

Thus it is very important to remember to always lock your car doors and remove any valuables from plain sight. If you have a garage, it is a good idea to use it. Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.

Just a few precautionary measures can lower your risk of being the victim of crime.

MUSKEGON, Mich.—A 38-year-old woman and her 17-year-old son are facing charges after gunfire hit a home on the city’s south side.

Officers were called to the 1900 block of Hoyt Street just after 11 p.m. Saturday, after someone reported hearing gunfire. Police determined the gunfire came from inside and outside a home that was hosting a teenage party. Officers believe the people outside the home left the scene, heading toward Muskegon Heights.

No one was injured. Officers found evidence of illicit drug use inside the home. The homeowner is facing criminal charges and her son has been detained and charged with obstruction.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Muskegon Police Department tip line at (231) 846-8477 or Silent Observer at (231) 722-7463.